Typewriter



R. LA PEGNA TYPEWRITER Feb. 3. 1925. 1,524,870

Filed Dec. 5, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 979 50 lulmm-mnum N 0 P- fnrewfor:

Feb. 3. 1925. "1,524,870 R. LA PEGNA TYPEWRITER Filed Dec. 5, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet? Foffo e//p La Peyr/c/ 1y Feb. 3. 1925'. 1,524,870

R. LA PEGNA TYPEWRITER Filed Dec. 5, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 [7 /611 for;

Rm fad/o [a Peg r10 Mun,

Patented e. 3'', 1 925,; f

nArFAELLo A PEGNA, or MILAN, ITALY.

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Application filed December 5, 1921. Serial 116,520,119.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that'I, RAFFAELLO LA PEGNA, a subject of the King of Italy, and resident of Milan, Italy, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typewriters, of which the" following is a specification. I

The present invention .relates to typewriters and has forits object a typewriter in which each desired'type may be printed at the same time in a number of separate printing points by'the manipulation-of a single key.

The typewriter according to this nvention is particularly useful in connect on with book-keeping, in which itis oftennecessary to write a given numerah figure or word in two or more columns or'rows of a page. P i

The typewriter according to th1s 1nv en' tion comprises a frame, a carriage travelllng on said frame and carrying a book or a sheet of paper to be written thereon, anumber of printing sets said sets being spaced from each other and comprising a number W of type bar actions each'of' which actuates a type for its printing, electric means for operating the type actuating means of the several printing sets and electric means for putting in operative conditions the selected sets, and means for operating the coupled sets to obtain the impression of any deslred type in all said selected sets at the sametime by the manipulation ofa single operating he a i divisional application Serial No. 640,761 has been filed May 22, 1923 claiming the device employing mechamcalactuation. On the "annexed drawings is shown by way of example'an embodimentof a multiple typewriter according to this invention; in said figures it is assumed the typewriterto be intended to write numerals or figures, but of course any desired character or sign may be used in the keyboard.

In said drawings: Flgure 1 Isa fragmentary front View of a construction of typewriter with electric transmission of the actuation, the right portion of this figure being a fragmentary section made along lines- 1"1. 1-1" and 1"-1"-r'esp'ectively,-of Figure 2; Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan section on lines 22: 2' -2 and 2"2 respectively, of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section on 3-3 Figure 1; Figure 4 is a vertical transports 25 (Figure 3).

verse section on 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a similar section online 55 of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a' horizontal sectionon-line 66 of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a similar sec ton on line 7-7 of Figure 1; Figure 8' is 'a diagram of the electric connections and"Figure 9 is the side'viewof one of the actuating means for controllingthe electric circuits.

- In the drawings, 1 is a frame or support on which are mounted a number of'printing sets, each set being shownas a whole by a reference I, II, III, (Figs. 1 and 2); it is assumed that theappara'tus comprises three sets but of course-the number of these sets may be any desired one said sets are hereinafter particularly describedand theseveral levers of eaohset are adapted to strike the respective types 1 at a common printing point as usual in typewriters.

Said printing sets, which may be in any desired number, as above stated, arelocated at a desired distance from each -other; each. of them being-inposition to write on afdesired point of the printingsurface-which may be a paper sheet, a bookpage or the like. Each of'said "printing'sets may come prise a larger number of keys and types than that shown 'on'the drawing and one of them maybe a proper typewriter adapted to write any desired character.

I At the front of the apparatusis movably mounted a carriage '5 having'rollers 4' run-' ning onrails 4 and a rack bar 6 cooperating with the usual trip pawl 7 which controls the progression of the carriage after each actuation-of a key. A support 8 for the book or paper sheet to'be written on. is mounted to move vertically in the carriage 5.

Each printingset comprises type bar 26 mounted to move endwise in the machine frame 1 and each connected with a lever 24 which is fulcrumed on the stationary 'sup- "Each lever 24 has 1ts other end 'pivotally connected to a rod 50 which inturn is" pivotally connected to one endof a'lever 51 fulcrumed' at 52; the opposite end of this lever is pivoted to'a rod 23 whichis operated in the manner hereinafter described; In the construction illustrated it" has been assumed that the machine comprises three sets of type bars each set having the-'nl'm'ierals 0 to 9; in- Figure 1 isillustrated the set referred to as III and the sets I and II are shown close to the set III, but it is to be Ill) understood that said sets may be in any desired number and they may be spaced to.

any desired distance from each other.

Each rod 23 is mounted to reciprocate in supports l and has secured tov it a bar 53 of magnetic material, and all said bars of one set are arranged at the side of each other in a vertical plane. Adjacent to these bars is located a partition 54 of nonmagnetic material which has slots 54' and is carried by a carriage 57 provided with rollers 55 running on rails 56; this car- 58 as arethe sets of vtype bars and the polar faces of each electromagnet have the same size as one of the bars 53 and are located in one of the slots 54 which are spaced apart to the same distance as are the bars 53, of the several sets, carrying the same numerals; therefore by shifting the carriage 57 the electromagnets are carried in position to operate the same desired type bar in all the sets.

A spring 59' connected with the frame 1 acts to move the carriage 57 towards its extreme right hand position. At its other end the carriage is connected with a rod 60 mounted to move through supports 61 and pivoted to a lever 62 fulcrumed at 63, the opposite end of said lever carrying an armae ture 64 and facing the ends of the core of an electromagnet 65. i

The rod 60. isprovided with a plate 66 having steps 66 whose edges are spaced from each other to the same distance as'two adjacent bars 53. In front of the plate 66 are located nine rods 67 in such a position as each of them faces one of the steps 66 each of said rods is mounted to reciprocate and is pivotally connected to one end of alever 68 fulcrumed at 69 (Fig ure 4) and having its opposite end pivotally connected with an armature 70 facing an I electromagnet 71. On the rod 60 is secured a tooth 72 (Figure 2) which in its usual position engages a hook 73 of a lever 74 which is pivoted at 75; the other end ofsaid lever 74 provides a transverse bar 74 engaging the teeth 76 of all the several bars 67.

All-the rods 67 areengaged with a plate a 77 fulcrumed at 78 (Figures 2 and 6) and having a pawl 7 9 adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 80 keyed on the shaft 81 of an electric commutator 82 (see Figures 48) a The above described device is intended to operate theshifting of the types; this operation takes place by the fact that, as hereinafter described, said electromagnets 71 are inserted in the circuit of a source of current in such a manner that when one of the electromagnets 71 is energized there is also operated the rod 67 which is adapted to engage the step of the plate 66 corresponding with the type to be written, and then is riage has as many electromagnets 58'58" released the stop 73 which leaves the rod 60 with the carriage 57 and plate 66 to move under the action of the spring'59 until said parts are engaged by the rod 67 above referred to, while the electromagnets 58 58"-58" in front of the several bars 53 actuate the selected type in the several sets.

Said commutator 82 hereinafter particularly described is operated after completing the stroke of each type bar for the, purpose de-energizingthe electromagnet 71 and of energizing that to restore the parts 60- 57 in the position of the figure, with the tooth -72 engaged by the hook 7 3.

On the shaft 81 is also keyed a wheel 83 (Figures 4 and 7) which is engaged by a pawl 84 of a lever 85 fulcrum'ed at 86 and abutting againsta projection 87 of the tooth 72 fastened on the rod 60. s

By the combined action of the pawl 79 operated by the bar 67 and of the pawl 84 operated by the projection 87 of the rod 60, the shaft 81 0f the commutator is operated through one sixth of revolution at each operation of said bars .67 and. rod 60, the ratchet wheels 80 and 83 having six teeth.

In the embodiment illustrated the commutator 82 comprisesa diskof insulating material and. three conducting segments 110 leaving intermediate insulating portions, and the wheels 80 and 83 arevprovided with six teeth; therefore at eachv step motion produced by the wheels 80 and 88 are modified the conditions of the circuit controlled by the. commutator 82. This circuit includes a source of electric current B and the electromagnet 65, which is thereby alternately energized and de-energized at each step motion of the commutator 82, for the purpose, hereinafter referred to. I k

The hook 773 normally engages the tooth 72 ofthe rod 60 and keeps this rod and the carriage 57 stationary against the action of the'spring 59; as soon asone of the bars 67 is carried in position to engage theplate 66 by its electromagnet 71 being energized, said hook 73 is removed from the path of the toothx72 and it is again in positionto engage it on the operation beingcompleted. x

Figure 8 shows the diagram of the circuits controlling the operation of the apparatus, that is controlling the energization of the elec-tromagnets 7'1. controlling the position of the carriage 57 upon the type it is desired to print, as well as the energizetion of the electromagnet 65 moving back said carriage, and-the energization of the electromagnets 58'5858 actuating the bars 53 and the associate type bars 26 of 58"58"' (each of these electromagnets circuitsand switches are in parallel it will sutlice to describe the operation of a single series of them.v

By manipulating the switches SS -88 the operator may put in condition of being. energized the pair of electromagnets 58 58 or the pair 58-58' or both the pairs; of course in the case of a larger number of printing sets the switches 88 may be increased in number for makingpossible to carry any desired series of printing sets in operation.

On the, contrary the switches 89 are operated by thekeys of the keyboards, each of them controlling two circuits that is, assumhung the switch 89 to be operatedpit firstly closes the circuit of the electromagnet 71 through conductors 113, contacts 114, lever 115, conductors 116117 electromagnet T1 and conductor 1 18; thereafter the said lever 115 contacts. with the contact 119 and closes the circuit; conductors.'120.-12l 122- electromagnets 5858"1-58, conductor123- selectors 8888 and conductor 12 1; of course the current, flows through the one or more of the electromagnets 5858"-58'" whose circuit has been closedall) at the selectors 88 88'-as shown vin respect of the electromagnets 5858 in Figure 8. By this operation the electromagnet T1 is energized and the correspond- I 'ing rod 67 is moved into the pathot the plate '66to stop the latter with the carriage 57 in its position with the electromagnets 5858-58" in front of the bar 53 of each set which controls the respective type bar 26 having the type of the numeral 1; then the electromagnets 58 and 58" are energized to actuate said bar 53 and type bar 26 and finally is energized the electromagnet to bring back the rod 60 with the carriage 57 this electromagnet operating against the action of the spring 59 pulling said parts with the plate 66in engagement with the .bar 67 which has been carried inoperation.

As above described the switches 89 are nine in number, like the electromagnets T1, and to each switch corresponds one numeral from 1 to 9, while a simple switch 90 is provided for the 0, as this figure, which corresponds to the extreme right end position of the electromagnets 58'-58" 58" does not require a stop nor an electromagnet 71.

Figure 9 shows the manipulating gear in respect of one of the keys operating the switches 89. r v 1 I a I The lever 16 (Figure 9) having a key 16 moves against a' return spring 20, a reciprocating bar 18 having a contact piece 115 which bridges a pair of contacts 114:114=' to close the circuit of the electromagnet 71 while the contacts 1l9119 are bridged thereafter by the piece 115 of the lever 16. Then the circuit is closed" as follows: battery B; conductor 125, contacts 114 -115 114; (this switch being closed prior to that 115) conductor 126' contacts 119f 115' 119', conductors 127-128, switch 88", conducting. bar 33, conductors 129 -130 and battery; i

' The bar 33 is similar in its operation to that described. The switch 88" is illustrated as controlled by a contact bar 33 driven into closed contact position by means of. a key rod 41 and engaged in this position'by a sprin I 35 against a pawl 36 which may be remove to release said a push button 36. The described operating device may be sl ibstituted with "any othervapproved kind of switchboard. r T he several circuits may also be controlled from a distance, as disclosed and described, and therefore the parts of the typewriter may be actuated from anydesired point.

bar 33 by meansof The operation of this embodiment of apparatus is asfollows: by the'manipulation of one of the switches 88 88 or SS -88 (through the key41 and lever 33) the operator couples in parallel the circuits of themagnets 580i the selected sets which are to be operated atthe same time; in the figure the electrom'agnets 58- 58 are assumed to be put in operative conditions, the switch 88 being closed (Figure 8). Then when the operator desires to write a numeral, say '1, inthe two columns corresponding to the sets II and III, he acts on 'the -switch 89". This switch firstly closes the circuit comprising the electromagnet 71 and thus isproduced the at traction of the armature 7O' and the oscillation of the lever 68, the rod 67 being shifted and its end projecting into the path of the plate 66. This switch is shown diagrammatically by 89 in Figure 8- and com prises the contacts115115 shown by Figure 9, which are. operated by the key lever 16. I

The distance between therod 67 which has been displaced infithe above described manner and the cooperating step 66 of the plate 66 is equal to the space through which the carriage 57' nu1st 1nove for the purpose of causing the electromagnets 58- 58"58"" to have their polar faces infront of the bars 53' connected with the. type bars 26 having the numeral 1. 'As a consequence of the displacementiof the rod 67, the member 74: is rocked by the action of the tooth 7.6, and the tooth 73 is released from that 79- of the rod 60, the carriage 57 being moved towards the right by its springs 59 until the plate step 66 engages the rod 67 which has been sh fted.

After this operation is effected the electromagnets 58,5S"58 have their poles in front of the bars of the sets I-II- III which operate the type bars of the numeral 1. a

-\t the same time the motion of the rod (57' has produced the oscillation of the member 77 engaged with this rod, the pawl 79 being thus carried in front of another tooth of the wheel 80.

During the second portion of the stroke of the switch 89 its bar 115 closes the c rcuit of the electromagnets 5S58"' each of which, being energized, attracts the bar :73 facing it, the actuation of this bar producing the printing stroke of the bar 26 having the type 1 through the intermediate of the gear 52-515024.

lVhen the switch 89 is opened after the operation (say by theaction of a spring acting on the tie 18) the circuit of the switches 58-5858 is firstly cut off and the rods 26 which have been actuated in the several groups are carried again in their position by their respective springs; then is cut off the circuit of the electronmgnets 71'v previouslyenergized, so that the lever GS is forced by its spring 68- in its normal position and the bar 67 'is restored in position. During this operation the bar 67 releases the member 77 which is restored in its original position by a spring77 (Figure 6); therefore the pawl T9 operates througlrone step the ratchet wheel 80 which drives the shaft 81 and the commutator-82, this latter being thus carried in the position by which the circuit of the electromagnet 65 is closed. Said electromagnet is thus energized and attracts the armature 64:; the lever 62 is rocked and the rod with the carriage 57 is moved to wards left hand againstthe spring 59. The normal conditions are thus restored, that is the tooth 72 of the rod 60 is again engaged with the tooth 73 and therefore it is locked. Before the rocking of the rod (34) towards the left is completed, the projeetion 87 of its tooth 72 engages the lever and oscillates it. this moving forward the ratchet wheel 83 and the commutator 542 through one step. The commutator is thus in a position in which the circuit of the electromagnet is cut off, and thus the armature 64 is no longer attracted and the rod 60 is now engaged only by the tooth 72; said rod 60 is thus in condition to repeat the-desired operation as soon as one of the switches 89 is operated.

The rods 26 of each set converge towards one and the same printing pointand the paper carrying carriage is moved to a step with regard to said point at each key operation in the well known manner; the desired numerals are thus printed in succession at the side of each other in the several columns corresponding to the sets put in operation in the machine. I

The described typewriter in which the actuation of the type bar is made by electromagnetic means is particularly useful owing to the fact that it relieves the operator from any effort, the operator having only to manipulate a number of switches for putting in operative conditions the desired types and for effecting the printing of the desired types.

Of course each or a number of the type sets may comprise anynumber of type bars other than ten, and some ofthe bars 26 may be provided with other types than that-of numerals; the machine may thus be used for writing at the same time the same word or sentence on. two or more points of the sheet.

Of course the several type sets must be located at a suitable distance from each other and each or a number of them may consist of an usualtypewriter.

It is to beunderstood that the described machine maybe provided with any desired or conventional accessory device as tabulator, carriage return key and the like; it may also be" associated or combined with a computing'machine or with any apparatus adapted to effect and record the results of additions, and other computing operations.

By the described machine may be produced at the same time and in a simple and easy manner writingsof any kind on several columns or rows of a sheet or of a page of a book; this machine is particularly useful in book-keeping as it minimizes the labourfand the errors.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1s:-

1. A typewriter, comprising, a frame, a platen carriage mounted to move 011 said frame, means for producing a step by step motion of said carriage, a plurality of independent sets of type bars, each set com prising types adapted to strike on the same printing point, the several sets being spaced from each other to write on separate points of the platen, actuating means for the type bars in each set, means for putting into operative condition a number of said sets while leaving in inoperative condition the remaining sets, and means, comprising electromagnets, for operating the actuating means of the corresponding type bar in each of the sets which is in operative condition.

I 2; A typewriter comprising a frame, a

platen carriage mounted to move on" said printing point and the "several isets being spaced from each [other 'to write en-se arate points of th'eplateii, members in each set'for actuating said "type bars, an electromagnet for each' s'et' adapted to T operate the actuating memb'er' offeither ief. the types of ts associate set, -a 'c1rcint-comprlslng "a source of current, means for selectively "inserting in said circuit "a number'of said electromagnets, a part carrying saideleo- 'tromagnets, means for shifting said' part and electromagnets in front of the actuating member of any selected type in the several sets, key operated means for closing the circuits of said electromagnets and means for restoring said part and electromagnets in their normal position after completing the impression of the selected type.

3. A typewriter comprising a frame, a platen carriage mounted to move on said frame, means for producing a step by step motion of said carriage, a plurality of sets of type bars, each set comprising a series of types adapted to strike on the same printing point and the several sets being spaced from each other to write on separate points of the platen, members in each set for actuating said type bars, an electromagnet for each set adapted to operate the actuating member of either of the types of its associate set, a circuit comprising a source of current, means for selectively inserting in said circuit a number of said electromagnets, a part carrying said electromagnets,members adapted to be shifted in position preparatory to engage said part, said members being in number equal to that of the types of each set and each of them being adapted to stop said part with the electromagnets in front of the actuating members of the respective type bars in the several sets, means for moving said part and electromagnets towards said stopping members, olectromagnets for shifting said stopping members, these electromagnets being inserted in said circuit, and key operated means for selectively energizing said stop shifting electromagnets and for energizing said type actuating electromagnets, and means for restoring the parts in the normal positlon.

4. A typewriter comprising a frame, a.

and for operating said means to move said part and electromagnets,

spaced from each other towrite 'onseparate omts ,ofthe platen, members 111 each s'et or actuating "said typeibars',-' an electro- '-magnet* i11; e'iach set adapted" to operate the actuatinginember "ofei-ther of the types of its associate set, circuit comprising a source of current, means'ffor'selectively in- "sertin'g in said circuit ai number -of said electromagnets, a part carrying said electroniagnets, member's adapted to be shifted in position preparatory to enga'gesaid part,

said members being in numbereq'ual to that ofthe types of each-set and each ofthem being adaptedto stop said part with the electromagnets in "front of thewactua'ting members of the respective type bars in the and 'electromagnets 1 towards said stops, at

*"mem'b'er locking said part and electromagnets against said moving-- 11ieans,' means operated by said stopping members for releasing said locking member after one, of the said stopping members has been car ried in position to engagesaid part, electromagnets'for shifting said stopping members these electromagnets being inserted in several sets," 'means'for moving-said part said circuit, and key operated means for.

selectively energizing said sto type actuating electromagnets, and means for restoring the parts in the normal position. v

5. A. typewriter comprising a, frame,-"a" platen carriage mounted to move on said frame, means for producinga step-by-step shifting electromagnets and for energlzmg said motion of said carriage, a plurality of sets of type bars, each set comprising a series of types adapted to strike on the same printing point and the several sets being spaced, from each other to write on separate points of theplaten, members in each set for actuating said type bars, an electromagnet in each set adapted to operate the actuating member of either of the types of its associate set, a circuit comprising va source of current, means for selectively inserting in said cricuit a number of said electromagnets, a partcarrying" said elec'tromagnets,

members adapted to be shifted in position preparatory toengage said part, said members being in number equal to that of the types of each set and each of them being adapted to stop said part with the electromagnetsin front of the actuating members of the respective type bars in the several sets, means for moving said part and electromagnets towards said stops, a member locking said part and electromagnets against said moving means, means operated by said stopping members for releas- 1n said stopping members has been carried in osition to engage said part, electromagnets or" shifting said stopping members these electromagnets being inserted in said circuit,

said locking member after one of the and key operated means for selectively energizing said stop shifting electromagnets and or energizing said tytpe actuating electromagnets, and means or restoring the pgrts 1n the normal position, these means ing controlledby an electromagnet, and means for energizing this electromagnet .after completing each actuation .of 'a type barn 6.- A typewriter comprising aframe, a platen carriage mounted-tomove on said frame, means for producing a step by step motion of said carriage, a plurality of setsv T ating said type bars, an electromagnet for each set adapted tooperate the actuating .ing a platen carriage stroke, a

member of either ofthe typesof its'assovciate set, a c1rcu1t' comprising a source of current, means, for. selectively insertingin said circuit a numbenofsald electromagnets, means .for disconnecting from said circuit all said 'electromagnets after completart carryin said electromagnets, 'means or shiftin sad part and electromagnets, in front 0 the actuating member of any selected type in the several sets, key operated means for closing the circuits of said elect'romagnets and means forrestoring said part and electromagnets in their normal position after completing the impression of the selected .tyge.

. igned atiMilan, Italy, this 12th day of November A. D1921. a

RAFFAELLO LA .PEGNA. 

